Method for purifying mercury

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for atomizing liquid materials comprises a solid cylindrical body having a rotation means attached to one end and a chamber formed in the other end thereof. Passageways extending through the cylindrical body to the chamber are so arranged that their vertical axes are parallel to and adjacent the sides of the body. An opening is provided into the chamber which has complementary ribs formed in its top and bottom. The apparatus can be employed in a variety of mixing and liquid contacting operations, but it is particularly useful for effecting contact between mercury and agents used in its purification.

United States Patent 1 Yuen Feb. 12, 1974 1 METHOD FOR PURIFYING MERCURY 2,610,908 9/1952 Deprez 23 270 R [76] lnventor: Vann Yuen, 2809 Land Park Dr., FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Sacramento Cahf 95813 857,346 7/1949 Germany 23/270 R [22] Filed: Dec. 20, 1971 Primary Examiner-Norman Yudkoff [21 1 Appl 210277 Assistant Examiner-S. J. Emery Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 869,665, Oct. 27, 1969. [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus for atomizing liquid materials comprises [52] 23/312 a solid cylindrical body having a rotation means at- 51 I Cl Bold 4 d tached to one end and a chamber formed in the other P 109 g 6 312 end thereof. Passageways extending through the cylin- 1 le 0 earc 6 drical body to the chamber are so arranged that their vertical axes'are parallel to and adjacent the sides of the body. An opening is provided into the chamber [56] References cued which has complementary ribs formed in its top and UNITED STATES PATENTS bottom. The apparatus can be employed in a variety 3,249,340 5/1966 Pinto 416/179 0f mixing and liquid contacting operations, but it is 3595.54 /19 416/179 particularly useful for effecting contact between mer- 3'278295 10/1966 416/179 cury and agents used in its purification. 3,128,084 4/[964 416/179 1 1 3/1885 Patchen 423/102 -2 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures METHOD FOR PURIFYING MERCURY This is a division, of application Ser. No. 869,665, filed Oct. 27, 1969.

This invention relates to an apparatus for atomizing and/or mixing liquids. In one aspect it relates to an apparatus for atomizing a first liquid so that it presents a large surface area for contact with a second liquid. In another aspect it relates to a method for washing a first liquid with a second liquid so as to purify the first liquid.

Mixing devices take on a variety of forms, often being designed to perform a particular mixing operation. When it is merely desired to mix two or more liquids, which may contain solid materials, apparatus having rotating paddles or vanes or one or more propellers are often utilized. While such apparatus are generally suitable for normal mixing operations, they are not entirely satisfactory where it is necessary to obtain rapid and intimate contact between the liquids. Sonic homogenizers have been suggested for such applications, for example, for the preparation of emulsions. However, such mixers are expensive and of complicated design so that their use is usually limited to a plant operation.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a mixing device which is capable of providing rapid and intimate contact between two or more liquids.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mixing device which is inexpensive to construct, easy to maintain, and adaptable to a variety of applications.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a method for purifying liquids, particularly a heavy liquid such as mercury.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the accompanying disclosure and the drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical, sectional view taken along. line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is asectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2; and v 4 FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the apparatus.

The present invention resides in an apparatus for atomizing and/or mixing liquids and in a method for purifying a liquid utilizing the apparatus. The apparatus comprises an elongated, solid body, preferably cylindrical in form, having a rotating means attached to one end and a chamber formed in the opposite end portion. A plurality of passageways is formed in the cylindrical body parallel to and adjacent its sides and extending from the end having the attached rotating means to the chamber. An opening formed in the opposite end of the cylindrical body communicates the chamber to the atmosphere or, when in use, to a liquid. Positioned in the chamber are ribs which radiate from the center of the chamber to points between the openings of the passageways into the chamber.

The apparatus of this invention is particularly adapted for use in a method of purifying a liquid by washing it with a liquid cleansing or decontaminating agent having a lower specific gravity thanthe liquid to be purified. In accordance with this method, the apparatus is inserted into a container having the heavier liquid to be purified disposed therein as a lower layer and the lighter liquid decontaminating agent disposed therein as an upper layer, the lower end of the apparatus being below the interface between the two liquids and the upper end of the apparatus being above the interface and below the upper surface of the lighter liquid. Upon insertion of the apparatus as indicated, the heavier liquid enters the chamber of the apparatus and upon commencement of rotation of the apparatus the liquid is propelled outwardly between the sections defined by the ribs and enters the elongated passageways. Under the force of the entering liquid, the liquid passes through the passageways and is forced out through their upper ends into the decontaminating agent as a spray of fine particles. The fine particles are washed by contact with the decontaminating agent. When the rotation of the apparatus is terminated, the liquids separate into two layers. The liquids can then be separated from one another by any suitable method, as by decanting off the liquid decontaminating agent containing impurities.

While the apparatus of this invention is especially useful in purifying heavy liquids as described above, it can, in general, be advantageously employed where it is desired to form solutions or mix two or more liquids. The apparatus can also be employed to effect the emulsification of two phase liquid systems.

Reference is now made to the drawing in which identical reference numerals are utilized in the several figures to designate corresponding elements. In FIG. 1 there is shown the upper end or top 10 of solid cylindrical body 11. Attached to the cylindrical body is a shaft 12 which, when the apparatus is in use, is connected to a rotation means, such as an electric motor (not shown). Openings l3, spaced around the periphery of the top, define the upper ends of the passageways formed in the body.

As seen in FIG. 2, shaft 12 extends into cylindrical body 1 l to which it is fixedly attached. This attachment can be accomplished by any suitable means, for exampe, by applying an adhesive between the two elements or by mechanically locking one element to the other. A chamber 14 is formed in the end of cylindrical body 11 opposite its top l0.'Passageways 15 extend through the cylindrical body from its top 10 to chamber 14. The long or vertical axes of the passageways are substantially parallel to one another as well as to the sides and the long or vertical axis of the cylindrical body. Formed in the bottom of body 11 is an opening 16 which communicates the chamber with the atmosphere or, when the apparatus is in use, provides access for liquid into the chamber. The sides of opening 13 are preferably beveled, slightly outwardly, as shown, from the outer to the inner edge of the opening, but it is within the purview of the invention to have the sides vertically disposed. The chamber is preferably cylindrical in shape although it can assume other configurations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the top 17 and/or bottom 18 of the chamber can be conical in shape.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, as well as to FIG. '2, rib members 19 are attached to top 17 while rib members 21 are attached to bottom 18 of the chamber. The ribs are preferably formed as an integral part of the top and bottom of the chamber. Ribs l9 radiate from the center of top 17 toward wall 22 of the chamber. In a similar manner ribs 21 radiate from the center of opening 16 in bottom 18 toward wall 22. Each rib 19 intersects wall 22 at a location between two openings 23 where a pair of passageways 15 enter the chamber. A rib 19 is disposed directly above a corresponding or complementary rib 21, each of the ribs being substantially in the shape of a right triangle. In the case of each rib 19, the right angle is formed at the intersection of top 17 with wall 22. The right angle of each rib 21 is formed at the intersection of bottom 18 with wall 22. As seen from FIG. 2, hypotenuse 24 of a rib l9 diverges in the same vertical plane from hypotenuse 26 of a complementary rib 21. Hypotenuse 26 is shorter than hypotenuse 24 since the ends of triangular shaped ribs 21 have been cut off as a result of the formation of opening 16in the bottom end portion of body 11. This aspect of the rib structure is further illustrated in FIG. in which the ends of ribs 19 are visible, but ribs 21 cannot be seen.

The apparatus of this invention can be fabricated from any suitable material including metals and plastics. However, it is usually preferred to utilize a plastic material such as an epoxy resin, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, and the like. The apparatus can be manufactured by a molding technique or by a machining operation or by a combination of the two methods. It is usually preferred to form the apparatus in two sections corresponding to those shown in FIG. 2. After performing the required molding and/or machining operations, the two'sections are then rigidly attached to one another with the ribs properly aligned by use of a suitable cement or adhesive or by a mechanical means.

In the operation of the apparatus of this invention, the cylindrical body having its shaft attached to an elec-. tric motor is lowered into a vessel or bath containing the liquids to be mixed. The apparatus can be rotating when inserted, but the usual and preferred practice is to commence rotation only after top of the body 11 is below the liquid surface'By following the preferred procedure, the chance of liquid being propelled outside of the vessel is prevented or minimized. In many applications, an electric drill attached to the shaft provides a satisfactory rotation means.

Upon lowering the cylindrical body into the vessel with its top below the liquid surface, liquid enters chamber 14 through opening 16. Rotation of the body causes the liquid to be impelled outwardly toward wall 22 of the chamber through the action of the ribs on the liquid and the centrifugal force imparted by the rotation of the body. The liquid is thereby forced into openings 23 of passageways and thence upwardly through the passageways. The liquid leaves the passageways through openings 13 as a time globular spray. This spray of fine particles is dispersed through the liquid in the vessel, thereby resulting in a rapid and thorough mixing. The rapidity of the mixing operation depends at least to some degree upon the speed of rotation of the cylindrical body. In general, the greater the speed of rotation the more rapid the mixing is accomplished. It is generally preferred to operate at a rotational speed of 1,000 to 2,000 rpm. It is to be understood that sizing of the apparatus, e.g.', the dimensions of the passageways, and the rib members and the volume of the chamber, will have an influence on the efficiency of the apparatus in a mixing operation. However, in view of this disclosure, it is well within the skill of the art to design a particular size apparatus for a specific application.

A better understanding of the invention can be obtained by considering the following example which describes the use of the apparatus in the purification of contaminated mercury. However, it is to be understood that the apparatus is suitable for various applications involving the contacting of liquids so that the-example should not be considered to be unduly limitative of the IIIVCI'IIIOII.

EXAMPLE The length of the side of each rib adjacent the wall of the chamber is about 3/32 inch and the width of each rib is about 1 16 inch.

The cylindrical body is lowered into a vessel containing a lower layer of mercury and an upper layer of a decontaminating agent. The bottom of the body is disposed in the mercury while the top is positioned in the decontaminating agent. The mercury enters the chamber and upon being rotated by the attached electric motor at about 1,500 rpm the mercury is forced outwardly toward the chamber wall and thence upwardly through the passageways. The mercury leaves the passageways as a fine spray of .particles at a rate of about 20 pounds of mercury per second and passes into contact with the decontaminating agent. Because of the large surface area presented by the particles, the mercury is subjected to a very thorough and efficient cleaning action. Thereafter, the vessel isdecanted and the decontaminating agent containing impurities is separated, leaving mercury in the vessel. Distilled water is then added to the vessel and the above-described operation is repeated. .This step in the operation results in the separation of any remaining decontaminating agent from the mercury. 1

In the above-described procedure, ethanol is used as the decontaminating agent. The procedure is repeated two times using a caustic soda solution and nitric acid as the decontaminating agents. Use of these agents results in the removal of impurities such as oil, grease, metals, and salts. I

The mercury obtained after the described treatments is substantially free of any impurities. According to a conventional method, mercury is freed of impurities by introducing mercury into a cleaning agent one drop at a time. By using the apparatus of this invention, larger amounts of contaminated mercury canbe purified in a few minutes than by the conventional method in several hours.

As will be evident to those skilled in'the art, various modifications of this invention can be made or followed, in the light of the foregoing disclosure, without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.

I claim:

1. A method of purifying a first liquid by washing it with a second liquid, said first liquid having a higher specific gravity than said second liquid, said first liquid being mercury and said second liquid being a decontaminating liquid selected from the group-consisting of ethanol, caustic soda solution, and nitric acid, which comprises the steps of:

her and into vertical passageways formed in said body and communicating said chamber with openings in the upper end of said body; and 4. under the force of entering liquid passing said first liquid upwardly through said passageways and ejecting same through said openings as a spray of fine particles into said second liquid. 2. A method according to claim 1 in which the rotation of said body is terminated and said decontaminating agent is separated from said mercury. 

2. flowing said first liquid into a chamber formed in a lower portion of said body;
 2. A method according to claim 1 in which the rotation of said body is terminated and said decontaminating agent is separated from said mercury.
 3. rotating said body around its vertical axis at a speed of 1, 000 to 2,000 revolutions per minute and propelling said first liquid outwardly in said chamber and into vertical passageways formed in said body and communicating said chamber with openings in the upper end of said body; and
 4. under the force of entering liquid passing said first liquid upwardly through said passageways and ejecting same through said openings as a spray of fine particles into said second liquid. 